U.S. patent application number 16/432520 was filed with the patent office on 2020-03-26 for alcoholic beverage dispensers with flow controls.
This patent application is currently assigned to Cornelius Beverage Technologies Limited. The applicant listed for this patent is Cornelius Beverage Technologies Limited. Invention is credited to Christopher Michael Cook.
Application Number | 20200095108 16/432520 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69884427 |
Filed Date | 2020-03-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200095108 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cook; Christopher Michael |
March 26, 2020 |
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE DISPENSERS WITH FLOW CONTROLS
Abstract
A beverage dispenser includes a gas infusion device configured
to infuse a gas into a base liquid to form a gas-infused liquid, a
mixing chamber configured to mix the gas-infused liquid and a
concentrate to thereby form a reconstituted beverage, a first flow
control configured to decrease pressure of the gas-infused liquid
prior to mixing with the concentrate, and a second flow control
configured to decrease pressure of the concentrate prior to mixing
with the gas-infused liquid. A restrictor device downstream from
the mixing chamber and configured to apply backpressure on the
concentrate and the gas-infused liquid, and a dispensing valve is
configured to dispense the reconstituted beverage.
Inventors: |
Cook; Christopher Michael;
(Worcestershire, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cornelius Beverage Technologies Limited |
West Yorkshire |
|
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
Cornelius Beverage Technologies
Limited
West Yorkshire
GB
|
Family ID: |
69884427 |
Appl. No.: |
16/432520 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62735606 |
Sep 24, 2018 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67D 1/0035 20130101;
B67D 1/1284 20130101; B67D 1/0884 20130101; B67D 2001/0093
20130101; B67D 2210/00007 20130101; B67D 1/0068 20130101; B67D
1/1204 20130101; B67D 2001/0097 20130101; B67D 1/0046 20130101;
B67D 1/0016 20130101; B67D 1/1252 20130101; B67D 1/0864 20130101;
B67D 1/1281 20130101; B67D 1/07 20130101; B67D 1/0888 20130101;
B67D 1/0867 20130101; B67D 2001/0096 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B67D 1/00 20060101
B67D001/00; B67D 1/12 20060101 B67D001/12 |
Claims
1. A beverage dispenser comprising: a gas infusion device
configured to infuse a gas into a base liquid to form a gas-infused
liquid; a mixing chamber configured to mix the gas-infused liquid
and a concentrate to thereby form a reconstituted beverage; a first
flow control configured to decrease pressure of the gas-infused
liquid prior to mixing with the concentrate; a second flow control
configured to decrease pressure of the concentrate prior to mixing
with the gas-infused liquid; a restrictor device downstream from
the mixing chamber and configured to apply backpressure on the
concentrate and the gas-infused liquid; and a dispensing valve
configured to dispense the reconstituted beverage.
2. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the first
flow control is configured to dispense the gas-infused liquid at a
first flow rate and the second flow control is configured to
dispense the concentrate at a second flow rate.
3. The beverage dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the first
flow rate is greater than the second flow rate.
4. The beverage dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the
pressure of the gas-infused liquid dispensed from the first flow
control equals the pressure of the concentrate dispensed from the
second flow control.
5. The beverage dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the
pressure of the gas-infused liquid received by the first flow
control equals the pressure of the concentrate received by the
second flow control.
6. The beverage dispenser according to claim 5, further comprising
a boost pump configured to increase the pressure of the gas-infused
liquid received by the first flow control and a pump configured to
increase the pressure of the concentrate received by the second
flow control.
7. The beverage dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the
pressure of the gas-infused liquid received by the first flow
control and the pressure of the concentrate received by the second
flow control is 60.0 pounds per square inch.
8. The beverage dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the
restrictor device is adjustable to thereby adjust the backpressure
applied on the concentrate and the gas-infused liquid.
9. The beverage dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the
restrictor device is adjusted until the pressure decrease of the
gas-infused liquid through the first flow control equals the
pressure decrease of the concentrate through the second flow
control.
10. The beverage dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the
dispensing valve is a first dispensing valve and the restrictor
device is a first restrictor device, and further comprising: a
first control valve configured to dispense the gas-infused liquid
to the first flow control and the concentrate to the second flow
control; a second control valve configured to dispense the
gas-infused liquid to a third flow control and the concentrate to a
fourth flow control, wherein the third flow control is configured
to decrease pressure of the gas-infused liquid prior to mixing with
the concentrate and the fourth flow control is configured to
decrease pressure of the concentrate prior to mixing with the
gas-infused liquid; a second restrictor device configured to apply
backpressure on the concentrate and the gas-infused liquid; and a
second dispensing valve configured to dispense the reconstituted
beverage; wherein the gas-infused liquid dispensed from the first
flow control and the third flow control mix with the concentrate
dispensed from the second flow control and the fourth flow control
to thereby form the reconstituted beverage.
11. The beverage dispenser according to claim 10, wherein when both
the first dispensing valve and the second dispensing valve are
opened: the first control valve dispenses the gas-infused liquid to
the first flow control and the concentrate to the second flow
control; and the second control valve dispenses the gas-infused
liquid to the third flow control and the concentrate to the fourth
flow control.
12. The beverage dispenser according to claim 10, further
comprising: a pressure sensor that senses pressure of the
reconstituted beverage; a controller configured to receive signals
from the pressure sensor that correspond to the pressure of the
reconstituted beverage; wherein when the pressure of the
reconstituted beverage is less than a first predetermined pressure
and greater than a second predetermined pressure, the controller
opens one of the first control valve and the second control valve;
and wherein when the pressure of the reconstituted beverage is less
than the second predetermined pressure, the controller opens both
of the first control valve and the second control valve.
13. The beverage dispenser according to claim 12, wherein when the
pressure of the reconstituted beverage is equal to or greater than
the first predetermined pressure, the controller closes both the
first control valve and the second control valve.
14. A method of dispensing a reconstituted beverage, the method
comprising: infusing a gas into a base liquid to thereby form a
gas-infused liquid; mixing, in a mixing chamber, the gas-infused
liquid and a concentrate to thereby form a reconstituted beverage;
decreasing, with a first flow control, pressure of the gas-infused
liquid prior to the mixing of the gas-infused liquid and the
concentrate; decreasing, with a second flow control, the pressure
of the concentrate prior to the mixing of the gas-infused liquid
and the concentrate; applying, with a first restrictor device
positioned downstream from the mixing chamber, backpressure on the
concentrate and the gas-infused liquid; and dispensing the
reconstituted beverage via a first dispensing valve.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the first flow
control dispenses the gas-infused liquid at a first flow rate and
the second flow control dispenses the concentrate at a second flow
rate.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the first flow rate
is greater than the second flow rate.
17. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:
increasing the pressure of the gas-infused liquid received by the
first flow control; and increasing the pressure of the concentrate
received by the second flow control.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the pressure of the
gas-infused liquid received by the first flow control equals the
pressure of the concentrate received by the second flow control,
and wherein the pressure of the gas-infused liquid dispensed from
the first flow control equals the pressure of the concentrate
dispensed from the second flow control.
19. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: adjusting
the first restrictor device such that the backpressure applied on
the concentrate and the gas-infused liquid is adjusted and the
pressure decrease of the concentrate through the first flow control
equals the pressure decrease of the concentrate through the second
flow control.
20. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:
dispensing, with a first control valve, the gas-infused liquid to
the first flow control and the concentrate to the second flow
control; dispensing, with a second control valve, the gas-infused
liquid to a third flow control and the concentrate to a fourth flow
control; decreasing, with the third flow control, pressure of the
gas-infused liquid prior to the mixing of the gas-infused liquid
and the concentrate; decreasing, with the fourth flow control, the
pressure of the concentrate prior to the mixing of the gas-infused
liquid and the concentrate; applying, with a second restrictor
device positioned downstream from the mixing chamber, backpressure
on the concentrate and the gas-infused liquid; and dispensing the
reconstituted beverage via the first dispensing valve and a second
dispensing valve.
21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the gas-infused
liquid from the first flow control and the third flow control mix
with the concentrate from the second flow control and the fourth
flow control to form the reconstituted beverage.
22. The method according to claim 20, further comprising: sensing
pressure of the reconstituted beverage; opening the first control
valve when the pressure of the reconstituted beverage is less than
a first predetermined pressure and greater than a second
predetermined pressure; opening the first control valve and the
second control valve when the pressure is less than the second
predetermined pressure.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present disclosure is based on and claims priority to
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/735,606 filed Sep. 24,
2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to beverage dispensers that
combine one or more liquids to form a mixed beverage and
specifically relates to beverage dispensers with flow controls that
dispense a gas-infused liquid and an alcoholic concentrate to form
an alcoholic beverage.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The following U.S. Patent and U.S. Patent Application are
incorporated herein by reference, in entirety:
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,815 discloses a piston based flow
control for use in a high flow beverage dispensing valve. The
piston includes a top perimeter edge structure that allows for
continuity of liquid flow during high flow applications and
particularly during the initiation of a high flow dispensing so as
to eliminate chattering of the piston.
[0005] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0155176
discloses a beverage dispenser that includes a gas infusion device
that receives a base fluid and a gas and dispenses a gas infused
liquid, a ratio pump that receives the gas infused liquid and a
concentrate from a concentrate source and dispenses a predetermined
ratio of the gas infused liquid and the concentrate, and a mixing
chamber that mixes the predetermined ratio of the gas infused
liquid and the concentrate to form a reconstituted beverage.
SUMMARY
[0006] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts that are further described below in the Detailed
Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or
essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it
intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed
subject matter.
[0007] In certain examples, a beverage dispenser includes a gas
infusion device configured to infuse a gas into a base liquid to
form a gas-infused liquid, a mixing chamber configured to mix the
gas-infused liquid and a concentrate to thereby form a
reconstituted beverage, a first flow control configured to decrease
pressure of the gas-infused liquid prior to mixing with the
concentrate, and a second flow control configured to decrease
pressure of the concentrate prior to mixing with the gas-infused
liquid. A restrictor device downstream from the mixing chamber and
configured to apply backpressure on the concentrate and the
gas-infused liquid, and a dispensing valve is configured to
dispense the reconstituted beverage.
[0008] In certain examples, a method of dispensing a reconstituted
beverage includes the steps of: infusing a gas into a base liquid
to thereby form a gas-infused liquid; mixing, in a mixing chamber,
the gas-infused liquid and a concentrate to thereby form a
reconstituted beverage; decreasing, with a first flow control,
pressure of the gas-infused liquid prior to the mixing of the
gas-infused liquid and the concentrate; decreasing, with a second
flow control, the pressure of the concentrate prior to the mixing
of the gas-infused liquid and the concentrate; applying, with a
first restrictor device positioned downstream from the mixing
chamber, backpressure on the concentrate and the gas-infused
liquid; and dispensing the reconstituted beverage via a first
dispensing valve.
[0009] Various other features, objects, and advantages will be made
apparent from the following description taken together with the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Examples of the present disclosure are described with
reference to the following drawing figures. The same numbers are
used throughout the drawing figures to reference like features and
components.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example beverage
dispenser according to the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a partial schematic diagram of another example
beverage dispenser with an example flow control block and related
components.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a partial schematic diagram of another example
beverage dispenser with a first flow control block, a second flow
control block, and related components.
[0014] FIG. 4 is an example operating sequence for an example
beverage dispenser.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for an example computing
system for an example beverage dispenser.
[0016] FIG. 6 is an example method for dispensing a reconstituted
beverage.
[0017] FIG. 7 is another example method for dispensing a
reconstituted beverage.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Reconstituting alcoholic beverages (e.g., beer, alcoholic
ciders) from an alcoholic concentrate and a base liquid (e.g.,
still water) or a gas-infused liquid is becoming increasingly
popular in many pubs and/or restaurants as a way of minimizing the
space needed to store multiple mixed beverages. That is, a
relatively large number of alcoholic concentrates can be stored in
a small space (in contrast to the large space needed to store
large, conventional kegs containing alcoholic beverages) and
combined with a local water source to form a mixed or reconstituted
beverage on-location and on-demand for the consumer. Furthermore,
reconstituting alcoholic beverages on-site can minimize the cost of
transporting heavy cans, bottles, and/or kegs containing alcoholic
beverages.
[0019] Through research and experimentation, the present inventor
has endeavored to develop improved apparatuses, systems, and
methods for reconstituting and dispensing reconstituted alcoholic
beverages formed from a gas-infused liquid and an alcoholic
concentrate.
[0020] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of an example beverage
dispenser 10 according to the present disclosure. The beverage
dispenser 10 includes a base liquid inlet 12 that receives a base
liquid (e.g., drinking water, filtered drinking water, water-syrup
solution) from a base liquid source 13 (e.g., water tank,
pressurized water tank, municipal water source) (note that pipes or
conduits through which the base liquid is conveyed are labeled W).
The base liquid can be modified to suit the requirements of the
finished or reconstituted beverage. That is, the base liquid can be
filtered, purified, or fortified such that the chemical composition
of the base liquid closely matches the base liquid used by the
original manufacturer (e.g., brewery) to make or form the original,
non-concentrate finished beverage (e.g., beer). For example, the
base liquid can be modified by water filtration devices, reverse
osmosis (RO) water processing stations, blending devices, and the
like to "normalize" geographically different base liquids and
thereby decrease the variability and increase the quality of the
reconstituted beverage formed and dispensed from the beverage
dispenser 10.
[0021] The base liquid is cooled by a base liquid cooling or
refrigeration system 14 to a suitable or predetermined temperature
before being conveyed to a gas infusion device 22 (described
herein). The refrigeration system 14 can be any suitable type of
refrigeration system that is commonly used in the industry. For
example, the refrigeration system can be an air-cooled system, a
water-cooled system, an ice-bank based cooling system, or a
combination system thereof. A valve 17 is included to control the
flow of the base liquid to the gas infusion device (e.g., the valve
17 can be opened and closed to thereby control the flow of the base
liquid).
[0022] The beverage dispenser 10 also includes a gas inlet 15 that
receives a pressurized gas (e.g., CO2, N2, O2, mixed gas) from a
gas source 16 (e.g. gas tank, compressor) (note that pipes or
conduits through which the gas is conveyed are labeled G). In
certain examples, the gas inlet 15 is a gas inlet valve. The gas
received via the gas inlet 15 is infused into the base liquid with
the gas infusion device 22, such as a carbonator or gas sparger, to
thereby form a gas-infused liquid (described hereinbelow in greater
detail) (note that pipes or conduits through which gas-infused
liquid is conveyed are labeled I). The gas can be modified to suit
the requirements of a finished or reconstituted beverage (e.g., the
gas may be filtered) such that the composition of the gas closely
matches the gas of the original, non-concentrate finished beverage.
For example, the gas can be modified by gas filtration devices, gas
lending devices, and the like to "normalize" geographically
different gas sources and thereby decrease the variability and
increase the quality of the reconstituted beverage that is formed
and dispensed from the beverage dispenser 10. For example, a gas
filtration device 24 can be included to filter the gas to closely
match the gas in the original, non-concentrate finished beverage.
The type of gas filtration device 24 can vary and may include a
taste filter and/or odors filter. An example of a conventional gas
filtration device is manufactured by Parker Dominic Hunter (model
number MD-2).
[0023] Gas regulator(s) 23 are included so that an operator can
regulate the flow of the gas to the gas infusion device 22 and/or
isolate the gas source 16 from the rest of the beverage dispenser
10. In certain examples, an auto-vent device 30 is included and is
configured to vent excess gas from the gas infusion device 22
and/or lower the pressure of the gas when the pressure in the gas
infusion device 22 exceeds a predetermined maximum pressure limit
or value. In certain examples, a gas-line cleaning assembly 41 is
included for cleaning the pipes or conduits through which the gas
is conveyed.
[0024] A boost pump 40 receives the gas-infused liquid from the gas
infusion device 22 and is configured to increase the pressure of
the gas-infused liquid such that the gas remains in solution and
does not "breakout" of the base liquid. In one example, the boost
pump 40 increases the pressure of the gas-infused liquid to a
pressure (e.g., predetermined upstream pressure) in the range of
10.0-100.0 pounds per square inch (PSI), preferably in the range of
40.0-65.0 PSI, and more preferably to 60.0 PSI, from 31.0 PSI which
is the pressure at which the gas-infused liquid dispenses from the
gas infusion device 22. Note that the pressure at which the
gas-infused liquid dispenses from the gas infusion device 22 may
vary based on the type of gas infusion device 22. The boost pump 40
is connected to the gas source 16 via a gas regulator 23'. A person
of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the pressure of
the gas-infused liquid and/or the concentrate may be changed (e.g.,
increased, decreased) to any selected pressure within the pressure
range of above 10.0-100.0 PSI (e.g., 15.0 PSI, 40.0 PSI, 45.0 PSI,
60.0 PSI, 61.0 PSI, 85.0 PSI).
[0025] The alcoholic concentrate is conveyed by a pump 53 from a
concentrate source 52 such as a tank or bag-in-box container (note
that pipes or conduits through which the alcoholic concentrate is
conveyed are labeled C). A valve 54 is provided to control the flow
of the alcoholic concentrate pumped from the concentrate source 52.
In the example depicted in FIG. 1, solenoid valves 57 are included
to selectively close and thereby stop the flow of the alcoholic
concentrate and/or the gas-infused liquid to the beverage dispenser
10 in the event power to the beverage dispenser 10 is interrupted.
In certain examples, flow sensors 58 are included to sense the flow
of the alcoholic concentrate and the gas-infused liquid and send
signals to a controller 116 (see FIG. 5) which is configured to
control operations of the beverage dispenser 10. In certain
examples, check valves 59 can be included to prevent the
gas-infused liquid and/or the alcoholic concentrate from
inadvertently flowing into different sections of the beverage
dispenser 10.
[0026] The type of alcoholic concentrate that can be used with the
beverage dispensers 10 of the present disclosure may vary. That is,
alcoholic concentrates with different fluid properties and/or the
material compositions may be used with the beverage dispensers 10
of the present disclosure. For example, the alcoholic concentrate
can have a viscosity in the range of 1.0-40.0 centipoise (cP).
Preferably, the alcoholic concentrate has a viscosity in the range
of 3.0-20.0 cP. In other examples, the alcoholic concentrate has a
viscosity in the range of 1.0-15.0 cP, 2.0-17.0 cP, or 8.0-23.0 cP,
4.0-7.0 cP, 23.0-38.0 cP, or any combination thereof. In other
examples, the alcoholic concentrate can have an alcohol by volume
(ABV) in the range of 2.0-45.0%. Preferably, the alcoholic
concentrate has an ABV in the range of 15.0-30.0%. In some
embodiments, the concentrate has an ABV in the range of 5.0-10.0%,
10.0-20.0%, 15.0-25.0%, 20.0-39.0%, or 21.0-24.0%, or any
combination thereof.
[0027] The beverage dispenser 10 includes a flow control block 200
that includes one or more flow controls 210, 220 (described herein)
that receive the gas-infused liquid and the alcoholic concentrate,
respectively, and dispense the gas-infused liquid and the alcoholic
concentrate at preselected flow rates, respectively, such that the
gas-infused liquid and the concentrate mix to form the
reconstituted beverage (note that the pipes or conduits through
which the reconstituted beverage is conveyed are labeled R). In
particular, the gas-infused liquid and the alcoholic concentrate
are mixed to form the reconstituted beverage at a predetermined
fluid ratio of the gas-infused liquid and the alcoholic concentrate
(e.g., 2:1, 3:1, 5:1, 7:1, 10:1, 20:1). In one example, the first
flow control 210 dispenses the gas-infused liquid at a first flow
rate (e.g., 1.0 ounces per second) and the second flow control
dispenses the alcoholic concentrate at a second flow rate (e.g.,
0.2 ounces per second) such that the reconstituted beverage is
formed with a predetermined fluid ratio (e.g., 5:1).
[0028] The flow control block 200 has a first inlet 201 that
receives the gas-infused liquid and a second inlet 202 that
receives the alcoholic concentrate. The gas-infused liquid is
conveyed through the first flow control 210 and dispensed from a
first outlet 203 to a mixing chamber 205. The first flow control
210 decreases the pressure of the gas-infused liquid as the
gas-infused liquid is conveyed therethrough. Similarly, the
alcoholic concentrate is conveyed through the second flow control
220 and dispensed from a second outlet 204 to the mixing chamber
205. The second flow control 220 decreases the pressure of the
alcoholic concentrate as the alcoholic concentrate is conveyed
therethrough. In certain examples, the outlets 203, 204 are one-way
or check valves. The mixing chamber 205 is configured to mix the
gas-infused liquid and the alcoholic concentrate to form the
reconstituted beverage. The mixing chamber 205 has an outlet 206
through which the reconstituted beverage is dispensed. In the
example depicted in FIG. 1, the flow control block 200 is
positioned in an insulated enclosure 92 and cooled by a cooling or
refrigeration system (not shown). In certain examples, the mixing
chamber 205 is a Y-shaped channel with a pair of upstream inlet
ends and a downstream outlet end. In certain examples, the
gas-infused liquid is conveyed from the gas infusion device 22
though a circulation loop 98 in the insulated enclosure 92 before
the gas-infused liquid is conveyed to the boost pump 40. As such,
the gas infused-liquid conveyed through the circulation loop 98
cools the components located into the insulated enclosure 92. The
circulation loop 98 includes a circulation valve 99 that is
selectively opened and closed.
[0029] The reconstituted beverage is further conveyed into and
through a beverage cooling coil 80 positioned in a cooling tank 82
that defines a cavity 84 into which a cooling media 83 is received
and contained. A cooling or refrigeration system 85, which may be
remote to the cooling tank 82, cools the cooling media 83 and the
reconstituted beverage in the beverage cooling coil 80. The
refrigeration system 85 can be any suitable type of refrigeration
system that is commonly used in the industry such as an "ice bank"
system, an air-cooled system, a water-cooled system, or a
combination system thereof.
[0030] In certain examples, the refrigeration system 85 includes a
cooling coil 86 that is positioned in the cooling tank 82 such that
the cooling coil 86 contacts the cooling media 83. The
refrigeration system 85 also includes a heat exchanger (not shown),
a fan (not shown), and a pump (not shown) that circulate a coolant
through the cooling coil 86 and the heat exchanger such that heat
is transferred from the cooling media 83 via the cooling coil 86 to
the coolant and the heat exchanger. In the example depicted, the
gas infusion device 22 is positioned in the cavity 84 such that the
cooling media 83 contacts and cools the gas infusion device 22 such
that the base liquid, the gas, and the gas-infused liquid are
cooled.
[0031] The reconstituted beverage is further conveyed from the
beverage cooling coil 80 to a cooled beverage line 90, such as a
python (e.g., conduit or trunking) with an internal cooling media
or device (e.g., recirculated coolant, refrigerated tubing), that
further cools or maintains the reconstituted beverage at a desired
temperature as the reconstituted beverage is conveyed downstream to
a dispensing valve 72 and a tap 70. In operation, when an operator
opens the dispensing valve 72 the reconstituted beverage is
dispensed through the tap 70 to the operator and into a receptacle
73, such as a beer pint glass.
[0032] A fixed restrictor 74 and an adjustable restrictor 76 are
positioned upstream of the tap 70 and/or the dispensing valve 72,
and the restrictors 74, 76 assist in gradually changing (e.g.,
decreasing) the pressure of the reconstituted beverage as the
reconstituted beverage is dispensed through the tap 70.
Accordingly, the reconstituted beverage is dispensed with a desired
amount of foam or head. The restrictors 74, 76 also apply
backpressure upstream on the reconstituted beverage in the beverage
dispenser 10 and the gas-infused liquid and the alcoholic
concentrate in the flow control block 200 (described further
hereinbelow).
[0033] In certain examples, the beverage dispenser 10 includes a
line cleaning apparatus or assembly 140 that can be integral with
or removably coupled to the beverage dispenser 10. The line
cleaning assembly 140 dispenses and/or conveys a cleaning solution
into the beverage dispenser 10 to clean and flush the conduits and
components of the beverage dispenser 10 through which the alcoholic
concentrate and the reconstituted beverage are conveyed. The line
cleaning assembly 140 can include a vacuum or pressure operated
line cleaning pressure control 142 and one or more cleaning liquid
sources 141.
[0034] FIG. 2 a partial schematic diagram of the beverage dispenser
10 with an example flow control block 200. The flow control block
200 and related components depicted in FIG. 2 are used with example
beverage dispensers 10 having one dispensing valve 72 and/or one
tap 70. The gas-infused liquid (labeled as I) is received from the
boost pump 40 (see FIG. 1) via a flow turbine 214. The boost pump
40 increases the pressure of the gas-infused liquid to a
predetermined upstream pressure (further described herein). The
gas-infused liquid is conveyed through a water lockout device 215
to the first inlet 201 of the flow control block 200. Accordingly,
the gas-infused liquid is received into the first flow control 210
and dispensed from the first outlet 203 to the mixing chamber 205.
In parallel, the alcoholic concentrate (labeled as C) is received
via a flow turbine 217. The flow turbines 214, 217 are for
monitoring the flow of the gas-infused liquid and the concentrate,
respectively, and providing data to a controller 116 (FIG. 5,
described herein). The pump 53 (FIG. 1) increases the pressure of
the alcoholic concentrate to the predetermined upstream pressure,
and the alcoholic concentrate is conveyed through a concentrate
lockout device 218 and to the second inlet 202 of the flow control
block 200. Accordingly, the alcoholic concentrate is received into
the second flow control 220 and dispensed via the second outlet 204
into the mixing chamber 205 where the alcoholic concentrate and the
gas-infused liquid mix to form the reconstituted beverage (labeled
as R). The reconstituted beverage is then conveyed through a
monitoring device 216 (e.g., pressure sensor, flow switch) and to
the cooling coil 80. Examples of conventional flow controls are
disclosed in above-incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,815. In one
example, the flow control 210, 220 comprising an inlet that
receives the liquid (e.g., the gas-infused liquid, the alcoholic
concentrate), a chamber in which a sleeve and a piston are
positioned, and an outlet that dispenses the liquid. The piston is
biased toward a first end of the sleeve with a spring. As the
liquid is conveyed via the inlet, the liquid forces the piston
toward an opposite, second end of the sleeve such that the spring
is compressed. As such, the piston covers (e.g., at least
partially) holes defined in the sleeve such that the flow rate of
the liquid through the chamber and the holes to the outlet is
metered to a predetermined flow rate. The force applied by the
spring on the piston can be adjusted to thereby vary the movement
of the piston relative to the sleeve when the liquid is conveyed
through the flow control. As such, the portion of the holes covered
by the piston is adjusted when the liquid is conveyed through the
flow control and therefore the flow rate of the liquid is
adjusted.
[0035] During operation of the beverage dispenser 10, the present
inventor has discovered that the pressure differential or pressure
decrease of the gas-infused liquid and the alcoholic concentrate
across both flow controls 210, 220 must be the same (or
substantially the same) so that the flow rates of the gas-infused
liquid and the alcoholic concentrate dispensed from the flow
controls 210, 220 are sufficient to form the reconstituted beverage
with a predetermined ratio (e.g., five parts gas-infused liquid to
one part alcoholic concentrate 5:1). For example, if the pressure
differential across the flow controls 210, 220 is too low, the flow
controls 210, 220 will not correctly operate and therefore the flow
rates of the gas-infused liquid and the alcoholic concentrate
dispensed from the flow controls 210, 220, respectively, will be
incorrect.
[0036] To maintain the predetermined pressure differential across
the flow controls 210, 220, a predetermined upstream pressure of
the gas-infused liquid and the alcoholic concentrate upstream from
the flow controls 210, 220 and a predetermined downstream pressure
the reconstituted beverage downstream from the flow controls 210,
220 must be controlled and maintained so that the flow controls
210, 220 operate efficiently and effectively. That is, when the
predetermined pressure differential across the flow controls 210 is
maintained, the flow rates of the gas-infused liquid and alcoholic
concentrate dispensed from the flow controls 210, 220,
respectively, are at correct, predetermined flow rates such that
the reconstituted beverage is formed with the correct fluid
ratio.
[0037] With regards to the predetermined upstream pressure, the
boost pump 40 is configured to increase the pressure of the
gas-infused liquid to the predetermined upstream pressure and the
pump 53 is configured to increase of the pressure of the alcoholic
concentrate to the predetermined upstream pressure, if necessary.
In one non-limiting example, the boost pump 40 and the pump 53
increase the pressure of the gas-infused liquid and the alcoholic
concentrate respectively to 60.0 PSI. The predetermined downstream
pressure is met or maintained by adjusting or "tuning" the
backpressure acting on the flow controls 210, 220. As such, the
predetermined pressure differential across the flow controls 210,
220 can be achieved. In one non-limiting example, the predetermined
pressure differential across the flow controls 210, 220 that
results in correct flow rates of the gas-infused liquid and the
alcoholic concentrate from the flow controls 210, 220 is 38.0 PSI.
However, if the predetermined upstream pressure is 60.0 PSI and the
initial predetermined downstream pressure of the reconstituted
beverage is 19.0 PSI, the actual, initial pressure differential
across the flow controls 210, 220 is 41.0 PSI (60.0 PSI minus 19.0
PSI). Therefore, the backpressure acting on the flow controls 210,
220 is adjusted to 22.0 PSI such that the pressure differential
across the flow controls 210, 220 is 38.0 PSI (38.0 PSI is the
predetermined pressure differential across the flow controls 210,
220 noted above in this example). Accordingly, the flow rates of
the gas-infused liquid and the alcoholic concentrate dispensed from
the flow controls 210, 220, respectively, are correct and the
gas-infused liquid and the alcoholic concentrate are mixed together
to form the reconstituted beverage with the predetermined fluid
ratio. In other examples, the predetermined upstream pressure of
the gas-infused liquid and/or the concentrate may be at any desired
pressure within the range of 10.0-100.0 PSI.
[0038] The present inventor has also recognized, through research
and experimentation, that the pressure of the reconstituted
beverage downstream from the flow control block 200 is influenced
or dependent on the distance or length of conduit or pipe between
the flow controls 210, 220 and the dispensing valve 72. That is,
the greater the distance between the flow controls 210, 220 and the
dispensing valve 72 the greater the pressure drop of the
reconstituted beverage in the conduit or pipe. To adjust the
pressure of the reconstituted beverage to the predetermined
downstream pressure, the operator opens the dispensing valve 72 and
then adjusts the adjustable restrictor 76 until the pressure of the
reconstituted beverage is at the predetermined downstream pressure.
As such, the beverage dispenser 10 is calibrated or "tuned" for its
specific application and length of conduit or pipe. In one
non-example, when the dispensing valve 72 is first opened, the
pressure of the reconstituted beverage is 19.0 PSI. The operator
then adjusts the pressure of the reconstituted beverage downstream
of the flow controls 210, 220 using the adjustable restrictor 76
until the pressure of the reconstituted beverage is at the
predetermined downstream pressure (e.g., 22.0 PSI). The present
inventor has also recognized that when the dispensing valve 72 is
closed the pressures of the gas-infused liquid and the alcoholic
concentrate upstream from the flow control block 200 are equal to
the pressure of the reconstituted beverage downstream from the flow
control block 200.
[0039] The use of flow controls 210, 220 in the beverage dispenser
10 of the present disclosure differs from other conventional
beverage dispensers that use other devices (e.g., ratio pumps) to
dispense the gas-infused liquid and the alcoholic concentrate to
form reconstituted beverages. In some of these conventional
beverage dispensers, the pressure differential across the
components upstream from the dispensing valve are not typically
controlled. For example, when a ratio pump is used the ratio pump
continuously pumps the predetermined amount of the gas-infused
liquid and the alcoholic concentrate regardless of the pressure
differential or the backpressure acting on the ratio pump. As such,
the pressure differential or the backpressure acting on the ratio
pump does not impact the predetermined amount of the gas-infused
liquid and the alcoholic concentrate dispensed from the ratio
pump.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 3, a partial schematic diagram of
another example beverage dispenser 10 of the present disclosure
having a first flow control block 200, a second flow control block
200', and related components is depicted. The flow control blocks
200, 200' and related components depicted in FIG. 3 can be used
with a beverage dispenser 10 having more than one dispensing valve
72, such as two dispensing valves 72 and/or two taps 70 (as
depicted). Through research and experimentation, the present
inventor has observed that when two taps 70 are used to dispense
the reconstituted beverage formed from one gas-infused liquid
(labeled as I) and one alcoholic concentrate (labeled as C) the
pressure of the reconstituted beverage downstream from a single
flow control block 200 (see FIG. 2) fluctuates as the two
dispensing valves 72 are opened and closed. As such, the pressure
differential across the flow controls 210, 220 and the flow rates
of the gas-infused liquid and the alcoholic concentrate dispensed
from the single flow control block 200 can vary such that the
consistency of the reconstituted beverage from the gas-infused
liquid and the alcoholic concentrate decreases. Accordingly,
through research and experimentation, the present inventor has
developed the beverage dispenser 10 described hereinbelow with
reference to FIG. 3 that permits multiple dispensing valves 72 and
taps 70 (e.g., two dispensing valves 72 and two taps 70) to
dispense the same reconstituted beverage.
[0041] In the example depicted in FIG. 3, the gas-infused liquid
(lines labeled as I) is conveyed through a flow turbine 214 and to
a first control valve 225 and a second control valve 225' (e.g.,
the control valves 225, 225' are twin channel or duplex valves).
Similarly, the alcoholic concentrate (lines labeled as C) is
conveyed through the flow turbine 217 and to the first control
valve 225 and the second control valve 225'. In operation, the
control valves 225, 225' are selectively opened (described herein)
to thereby permit the gas-infused liquid and the alcoholic
concentrate to be conveyed into two flow control blocks 200, 200'
such that the reconstituted beverage (lines labeled as R) is
formed, dispensed from the flow control blocks 200, 200', and
thereby combined into a single flow of the reconstituted beverage
(see location 227). A pressure sensor 230 is included downstream
from the flow control blocks 200, 200' (e.g., downstream from the
combination location 227) and is configured to sense the pressure
of the reconstituted beverage in the beverage dispenser 10. The
pressure sensor 230 is in communication with the controller 116
which controls (e.g., opens, closes) switches 235, 235' (FIG. 5) to
thereby open and close the control valves 225, 225'.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 4, an example operating sequence for
an example beverage dispenser 10 is depicted. The dashed line
labeled as 230 depicts the relative pressure sensed by the pressure
sensor 230, the solid line labeled as 225, 225' depicts the
operational status of the two control valves 225, 225', and the
dashed line labeled as 72 depicts the operational status of two
dispensing valves 72 (see FIG. 3 for these components).
[0043] At vertical line 0, the dispensing valves 72 are closed such
that the gas-infused liquid, the alcoholic concentrate, and the
reconstituted beverage are not conveyed through the beverage
dispenser 10. The control valves 225, 225' are also closed. As
such, the pressure sensor 230 senses a first predetermined pressure
P1 (e.g., a high pressure) of the reconstituted beverage in the
beverage dispenser 10. At vertical line 1, one of the dispensing
valves 72 begins to open such that the pressure of the
reconstituted beverage decreases. As the pressure sensor 230 senses
the pressure of the reconstituted beverage decreasing, the pressure
sensor 230 generates signals or pressure sensor data that are
received by the controller 116 which is configured to close the
first switch 235 to thereby open the first control valve 225.
Accordingly, the gas-infused liquid and the alcoholic concentrate
are dispensed to the first flow control block 200 and the pressure
of the reconstituted beverage stabilizes at a second predetermined
pressure P2 while the dispensing valve 72 remains open (see at
vertical line 2). The second predetermined pressure P2 is sensed by
the pressure sensor 230, and the second predetermined pressure is
less than the first predetermined pressure.
[0044] At vertical line 4, the second dispensing valve 72 is opened
such that the reconstituted beverage begins to dispense from the
second tap 70. As the second dispensing valve 72 is opened, the
pressure of the reconstituted beverage decreases. At vertical line
5, the second dispensing valve 72 is fully open and the controller
116 receives signals from the pressure sensor 230 and closes the
second switch 235' to thereby open the second control valve 225'.
As such, the gas-infused liquid and the alcoholic concentrate are
conveyed to the second flow control block 200', dispensed
therefrom, and mixed to form the reconstituted beverage. The
reconstituted beverage formed in the second flow control block 200'
is further mixed or combined with the reconstituted beverage formed
in the first flow control block 200 (see combination location 227
on FIG. 3). As such, the pressure of the reconstituted beverage
increases and stabilizes at the second predetermined pressure P2
(at vertical line 6).
[0045] Both dispensing valves 72 and both control valves 225, 225'
are open until vertical line 7. At vertical line 7, one the
dispensing valves 72 begins to close, and as such, the pressure of
the reconstituted beverage increases toward an intermediate
predetermine pressure P3 between the first predetermined pressure
P1 and the second predetermined pressure P2. Accordingly, the
controller 116 opens the second switch 235' to thereby close the
second control valve 225' and stop the gas-infused liquid and the
alcoholic concentrate from being conveyed to the second flow
control block 200'. As such, the pressure of the reconstituted
beverage stabilizes at the intermediate predetermine pressure P3
(see at vertical line 8). In other examples, the pressure of the
reconstituted beverage increases to and is stabilized at the second
predetermined pressure P2 when one of the dispensing valves 72 is
closed.
[0046] At vertical line 9, the remaining open dispensing valve 72
begins to close, and as such the pressure of the reconstituted
beverage increases to the first predetermined pressure P1.
Accordingly, the controller 116 opens the first switch 235 to
thereby close the first control valve 225 to stop flow of the
gas-infused liquid and the alcoholic concentrate to the first flow
control block 200. When both dispensing valves 72 are closed (see
at vertical line 10), the pressure of the reconstituted beverage is
at the first predetermined pressure P1 and no liquids are conveyed
through or dispensed from the beverage dispenser 10. In this
example, the sequential or "staggered" closing of the control
valves 225, 225' as the dispensing valves 72 are closed is
advantageous to ensure that the pressure of the reconstituted
beverage is at the first predetermined pressure P1 when both
dispensing valves 72 are closed. In contrast, if both control
valves 225, 225' were immediately closed when the dispensing valves
72 are closed, the pressure of the reconstituted beverage remaining
in the beverage dispenser may be less than the first predetermined
pressure P1.
[0047] Referring back to FIG. 2, in certain examples the beverage
dispenser 10 also includes a lock-out or shut-off system 250. The
lock-out system 250 advantageously prevents a reconstituted
beverage with an unsafe amount of the alcoholic concentrate from
being dispensed from the beverage dispenser 10. The lock-out system
250 includes the monitoring device 216 that senses the pressure or
flow of the gas-infused liquid. The monitoring device 216 is in
direct communication or indirect communication via the controller
116 (FIG. 5) and with a concentrate lockout device 218 (e.g.,
valve) such that when the controller input state(s) are `out of
product, CO2, or water` the controller 116 causes the concentrate
lockout device 218 to activate (e.g., close) thereby stopping the
flow of the alcoholic concentrate. In other examples, the flow
turbines 214, 217 may indicate that an incorrect ratio of the
gas-infused liquid and the alcoholic concentrate is being conveyed
through the beverage dispenser 10 such that the controller 116
activates the concentrate lockout device 218. In certain examples,
the concentrate lockout device 218 and/or the water lockout device
215 are activated when there is low or insufficient pressure or
flow of the concentrate and/or the gas-infused liquid. As such, the
concentrate lockout device 218 and/or the controller 116 shut down
the beverage dispenser 10 or alerts the operator to the error. In
certain examples, the concentrate lockout device 218 must be
manually reset before the beverage dispenser 10 can dispense the
reconstituted beverage. In other examples, the concentrate lockout
device 218 remains activated or closed until the problem is
corrected or the controller 116 is reset. In certain examples, the
lockout devices 215, 218 are combined to be a single unit and may
be operated by an actuator (not shown).
[0048] FIG. 5 depicts an example computing system 111 of the
beverage dispenser 10. In the example shown, the system 111
includes a controller 116, which is programmable and includes a
processor 112 and a memory 114. The controller 116 can be located
anywhere in the system 111 and/or located remote from the system
111. The controller 116 can communicate with various components of
the beverage dispenser 10 via wired and/or wireless links. Although
FIG. 5 shows a single controller 116, the system 111 can include
more than one controller 116. Portions of the method can be carried
out by a single controller or by several separate controllers. Each
controller 116 can have one or more control sections or control
units. One having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the
controller 116 can have many different forms and is not limited to
the example that is shown and described. For example, the
controller 116 carries out the dispensing control methods for the
entire system 111, but in other examples dispensing control units
could be provided.
[0049] In one non-limiting example, the controller 116 communicates
with one or more components of the system 111 via a communication
link 113, which can be a wired or wireless link. The controller 116
is capable of monitoring and controlling one or more operational
characteristics of the system 111 and its various subsystems by
sending and receiving control signals via the communication link
113. The system 111 may include several modules. For example, the
user interface module 119 may be connected to a remote 120, a
control panel, a connection port, and/or the like. In another
non-limiting example, a control module 121 such as an internet or
network module may connect the dispenser to the internet. The
control module 121 may be wireless or wired, and the control module
121 may allow a remote user to control the components of the
dispenser. The controller 116 may further relay data to and/or
receive data from the beverage dispenser 10 such as switches,
valves, pumps, displays, and/or the like.
[0050] In certain examples, the gas infusion device 22, the boost
pump 40, the flow turbines 214, 217, the water lockout device 215,
the monitoring device 216, the concentrate lockout device 218, the
pressure sensor 230, the switches 235, 235', the solenoid valves
57, and the flow sensors 58 are electrically coupled to and in
communication with the controller 116. A person having ordinary
skill in the art will recognize that other components, devices,
and/or systems can be coupled to and controlled by the controller
116.
[0051] In certain examples, additional pressure sensors (not shown)
are included with the beverage dispenser 10 to sense the pressure
of the various fluids within the beverage dispenser 10. The sensors
are coupled to the controller 116 via communication links 113 and
configured to relay signals to the controller 116 related to the
sensed pressures. In certain examples, the controller 116 is
configured to determine if the pressure(s) sensed by the pressure
sensor 230 and/or other sensors is above or below a predetermined
pressure (e.g., a first predetermined pressure, a second
predetermined pressure, a low-pressure limit, a maximum pressure)
and can then open and/or close different connected components
(e.g., valves, switches) thereby increase or decrease the flow of
the base liquid, the gas, the gas-infused liquid, the alcoholic
concentrate, and/or the reconstituted beverage.
[0052] In certain examples, the controller 116 has an indicator 37
(e.g., touchscreen panel, light, LED) to thereby indicate to the
operator that the pressure of the gas and/or the base liquid is
below a low-pressure limit and/or that the flow of the gas and/or
the base liquid has been stopped. Based on the state of the
indicator 37, the operator is alerted to inspect and/or repair the
beverage dispenser 10 and/or replace the base liquid source 13
and/or the gas source 16. In certain examples, the indicator 37
which is located at the tap 70.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 6, an example method for dispensing the
reconstituted beverage is depicted (refer to FIG. 3 for components
noted below). As shown at 302, the method begins with infusing the
gas into the base liquid with the gas infusion device 22 to thereby
form the gas-infused liquid. The gas-infused liquid is conveyed to
the first flow control 210 that decreases the pressure of the
gas-infused liquid and the alcoholic concentrate is conveyed to the
second flow control 220 that decreases the pressure of the
alcoholic concentrate (shown 304). As shown at 306, the gas-infused
liquid and the alcoholic concentrate are mixed in the mixing
chamber 205 to form the reconstituted beverage. The restrictor
device, which may be either or both the fixed restrictor 74 and an
adjustable restrictor 76, applies a backpressure on the gas-infused
liquid, the alcoholic concentrate, and/or the reconstituted
beverage (shown at 308). As shown at 310, the reconstituted
beverage dispenses from the dispensing valve 72 to the
operator.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 7 another example method for dispensing
the reconstituted beverage is depicted (refer to FIG. 3 for
components noted below). The method begins with infusing the gas
into the base liquid with the gas infusion device 22 to thereby
form the gas-infused liquid (shown at 402). The gas-infused liquid
and the concentrate are conveyed to the first control valve 225 and
the second control valve 225', as shown at 404. As shown at 406,
the pressure sensor 230 senses the pressure of the reconstituted
beverage in the beverage dispenser 10. The controller 116 compares
the pressure to the first predetermined pressure and the second
predetermined pressure (see 410) that are stored on the memory 114
(FIG. 5) of the controller 116.
[0055] As shown at 412, if the sensed pressure is greater than the
first predetermined pressure the controller 116 closes the control
valve 225, 225''. If the controls valves 225, 225' are already
closed, the controller 116 does not take any action (see 413). The
method returns to sensing the pressure of the reconstituted
beverage with the pressure sensor, as shown at 406.
[0056] As shown at 414, if the sensed pressure is less than the
first predetermined pressure and greater than the second
predetermined pressure, the controller 116 determines the status
(e.g., open or closed) of the first control valve 225 and the
second control valve 225' (see 416). If one of the control valves
225, 225' is open, the controller 116 takes no action and the open
control valve 225, 225' remains open (see 417). If both control
valves 225, 225' are open, the controller 116 closes one of the
control valves 225 (see 418). If both control valves 225, 225' are
closed, the controller 116 opens one of the control valves 225 (see
420). As such, the gas-infused liquid is conveyed to one of the
first flow controls 210, 210' and the alcoholic concentrate is
conveyed to one of the second flow controls 220, 220' (see 422). As
such, the reconstituted beverage continues to dispense from the
dispensing valve 72 (see 424) and the method returns to sensing the
pressure of the reconstituted beverage with the pressure sensor
230, as shown at 406.
[0057] As shown at 426, if the sensed pressure is less than the
second predetermined pressure, the controller 116 determines the
status (e.g., open or closed) of the first control valve 225 and
the second control valve 225' (see 428). If only one of the control
valves 225, 225' is open, the controller 116 opens the flow control
225, 225' that is closed (see 430). If both control valves 225,
225' are open, the controller 116 takes no action (see 432). If
both control valves 225, 225' are closed, the controller 116 opens
both of the control valves 225, 225' (see 434). As such, the
gas-infused liquid is conveyed to both first flow controls 210,
210' and the alcoholic concentrate is conveyed to both second flow
controls 220, 220' (see 436). As such, the reconstituted beverage
continues to dispense from both dispensing valves 72 (see 438) and
the method returns to sensing the pressure of the reconstituted
beverage with the pressure sensor, as shown at 406.
[0058] A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognized that
the methods described herein can be combined with each other.
Furthermore, the methods described herein can include additional
method steps and/or exclude certain method steps that are described
in other methods.
[0059] In certain example, a duplex valve is included upstream of
the flow control blocks to prevent breakout of the gas from the
base liquid. In certain examples, the dispensing patterns between
multiple taps might cause certain flow control blocks to remain
inactive for periods of time. Sanitation of the active flow control
block, and the remainder of the system are necessary for food
service regulations and to dispense reconstituted beverages with
consistent quality. In order to clean all flow control blocks in
the beverage dispenser (such as the beverage dispenser with two
flow control blocks in FIG. 3) the controller is configured to
periodic toggle the active flow control block between the different
flow controls blocks and/or activate a cleaning sequence that
operates to clean the flow controls blocks when any one or multiple
taps are opened.
[0060] In certain examples, a beverage dispenser includes a gas
infusion device configured to infuse a gas into a base liquid to
form a gas-infused liquid, a mixing chamber configured to mix the
gas-infused liquid and a concentrate to thereby form a
reconstituted beverage, a first flow control configured to decrease
pressure of the gas-infused liquid prior to mixing with the
concentrate, and a second flow control configured to decrease
pressure of the concentrate prior to mixing with the gas-infused
liquid. A restrictor device downstream from the mixing chamber and
configured to apply backpressure on the concentrate and the
gas-infused liquid, and a dispensing valve is configured to
dispense the reconstituted beverage.
[0061] In certain examples, the first flow control is configured to
dispense the gas-infused liquid at a first flow rate and the second
flow control is configured to dispense the concentrate at a second
flow rate. In certain examples, the first flow rate is greater than
the second flow rate. In certain examples, the pressure of the
gas-infused liquid dispensed from the first flow control equals the
pressure of the concentrate dispensed from the second flow control.
In certain examples, the pressure of the gas-infused liquid
received by the first flow control equals the pressure of the
concentrate received by the second flow control.
[0062] In certain examples, a boost pump is configured to increase
the pressure of the gas-infused liquid received by the first flow
control and a pump is configured to increase the pressure of the
concentrate received by the second flow control. The pressure of
the gas-infused liquid received by the first flow control and the
pressure of the concentrate received by the second flow control is
60.0 pounds per square inch. In certain examples, the restrictor
device is adjustable to thereby adjust the backpressure applied on
the concentrate and the gas-infused liquid. In certain examples,
the restrictor device is adjusted until the pressure decrease of
the gas-infused liquid through the first flow control equals the
pressure decrease of the concentrate through the second flow
control.
[0063] In certain examples, a first control valve configured to
dispense the gas-infused liquid to the first flow control and the
concentrate to the second flow control, a second control valve
configured to dispense the gas-infused liquid to a third flow
control and the concentrate to a fourth flow control. The third
flow control is configured to decrease pressure of the gas-infused
liquid prior to mixing with the concentrate and the fourth flow
control is configured to decrease pressure of the concentrate prior
to mixing with the gas-infused liquid. A second restrictor device
configured to apply backpressure on the concentrate and the
gas-infused liquid. A second dispensing valve configured to
dispense the reconstituted beverage. The gas-infused liquid
dispensed from the first flow control and the third flow control
mix with the concentrate dispensed from the second flow control and
the fourth flow control to thereby form the reconstituted beverage.
In certain examples, when both the first dispensing valve and the
second dispensing valve are opened the first control valve opens
and thereby dispenses the gas-infused liquid to the first flow
control and the concentrate to the second flow control and the
second control valve opens and thereby dispenses the gas-infused
liquid to the third flow control and the concentrate to the fourth
flow control. In certain examples, a pressure sensor that senses
pressure of the reconstituted beverage and a controller is
configured to receive signals from the pressure sensor that
correspond to the pressure of the reconstituted beverage. When the
pressure of the reconstituted beverage is less than a first
predetermined pressure and greater than a second predetermined
pressure, the controller opens one of the first control valve and
the second control valve, and when pressure of the reconstituted
beverage is less than the second predetermined pressure, the
controller opens both of the first control valve and the second
control valve. In certain examples, when the pressure of the
reconstituted beverage is equal to or greater than the first
predetermined pressure, the controller closes both the first
control valve and the second control valve.
[0064] In certain examples, a method of dispensing a reconstituted
beverage includes the steps of: infusing a gas into a base liquid
to thereby form a gas-infused liquid; mixing, in a mixing chamber,
the gas-infused liquid and a concentrate to thereby form a
reconstituted beverage; decreasing, with a first flow control,
pressure of the gas-infused liquid prior to the mixing of the
gas-infused liquid and the concentrate; decreasing, with a second
flow control, the pressure of the concentrate prior to the mixing
of the gas-infused liquid and the concentrate; applying, with a
first restrictor device positioned downstream from the mixing
chamber, backpressure on the concentrate and the gas-infused
liquid; and dispensing the reconstituted beverage via a first
dispensing valve. In certain examples, the method includes the
steps of increasing the pressure of the gas-infused liquid received
by the first flow control, increasing the pressure of the
concentrate received by the second flow control, and/or adjusting
the first restrictor device such that the backpressure applied on
the concentrate and the gas-infused liquid is adjusted and the
pressure decrease of the concentrate through the first flow control
equals the pressure decrease of the concentrate through the second
flow control. In certain examples, the pressure of the gas-infused
liquid received by the first flow control equals the pressure of
the concentrate received by the second flow control and the
pressure of the gas-infused liquid dispensed from the first flow
control equals the pressure of the concentrate dispensed from the
second flow control.
[0065] In certain examples, the method can include the steps of
dispensing, with a first control valve, the gas-infused liquid to
the first flow control and the concentrate to the second flow
control; dispensing, with a second control valve, the gas-infused
liquid to a third flow control and the concentrate to a fourth flow
control; decreasing, with the third flow control, pressure of the
gas-infused liquid prior to the mixing of the gas-infused liquid
and the concentrate; decreasing, with the fourth flow control, the
pressure of the concentrate prior to the mixing of the gas-infused
liquid and the concentrate; applying, with a second restrictor
device positioned downstream from the mixing chamber, backpressure
on the concentrate and the gas-infused liquid; dispensing the
reconstituted beverage via the first dispensing valve and a second
dispensing valve; sensing pressure of the reconstituted beverage;
opening the first control valve when the pressure of the
reconstituted beverage is less than a first predetermined pressure
and greater than a second predetermined pressure; and opening the
first control valve and the second control valve when the pressure
is less than the second predetermined pressure. In certain
examples, the gas-infused liquid from the first flow control and
the third flow control mix with the concentrate from the second
flow control and the fourth flow control to form the reconstituted
beverage.
[0066] In the present description, certain terms have been used for
brevity, clarity, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are
to be inferred therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art
because such terms are used for descriptive purposes only and are
intended to be broadly construed. The different apparatuses,
systems, and methods described herein may be used alone or in
combination with other apparatuses, systems, and methods. Various
equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible within the
scope of the appended claims.
[0067] The functional block diagrams, operational sequences, and
flow diagrams provided in the Figures are representative of
exemplary architectures, environments, and methodologies for
performing novel aspects of the disclosure. While, for purposes of
simplicity of explanation, the methodologies included herein may be
in the form of a functional diagram, operational sequence, or flow
diagram, and may be described as a series of acts, it is to be
understood and appreciated that the methodologies are not limited
by the order of acts, as some acts may, in accordance therewith,
occur in a different order and/or concurrently with other acts from
that shown and described herein. For example, those skilled in the
art will understand and appreciate that a methodology can
alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states or
events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all acts
illustrated in a methodology may be required for a novel
implementation.
[0068] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make
and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is
defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to
those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be
within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements
that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if
they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial
differences from the literal languages of the claims.
* * * * *